Henderson Bay High student selected as president of student-led nonprofit

Henderson Bay High School junior Selena Gamboa might not have a lot of leadership experience under her belt, but she is more than ready to embrace the challenges that come with her new position.

Gamboa was recently selected as president of Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) at West Sound Technical Skills Center (WST).

JAG is a nonprofit, student-led leadership organization that focuses on helping students stay in school, graduate, pursue post-secondary education and/or secure jobs leading to advancement. Gamboa was installed as president on Nov. 4.

As president, Gamboa will lead 35 members. Her first assignment will be to help her officers create a program of work for the current year, including community service projects, career development field trips, guest speakers and other leadership activities. Gamboa will conduct monthly officer meetings and represent JAG when guests and other groups visit WST.

In addition to attending Henderson Bay High, Gamboa is currently enrolled in the Professional Medical Careers Program at WST. By the time she graduates, the teenager will be a certified nursing assistant and ready to work full time.

Gamboa is thrilled to have been selected as JAG president.

“This is my first position as a leader so I’m really looking forward to putting myself out there and experiencing being a leader. I’ve been through a lot and have so many responsibilities — more than most teenagers,” said Gamboa, who is anxious to help other teens prepare for a successful future.

That may sound like a full plate to some, but Gamboa is able to take it all in stride.

A teen mother, Gamboa brings her 1-year-old son, Daniel, to school with her every day, where he attends the childcare center for teen parents.

Peggie Loe, the State Training and Registry System (STARS) teacher at Henderson Bay, is the director of the Cottesmore Child Development Center at the high school. In addition to attending school, Gamboa works with her as a teacher aide.

“She is very dedicated and a person with many talents — just an amazing student,” Loe said. “She works from the time she gets out of school to 5:30 every evening. She has a gift for remaining very calm and young children adore her.”

West Sound Technical Skills Center serves nine school districts, said Nora Zollweg, Marketing and Student Outreach coordinator and JAG specialist.

“The program benefits all students because they are treated as adults. We treat them as employees so we expect adult behavior, adult responsibility and adult interactions from them,” said Zollweg, adding the Gamboa is intelligent, compassionate and professional in everything she does.

“She gets it, and she is building a better life for herself and Daniel,” she said.

Zollweg said WCT is invested in its students.

“As a JAG specialist, I take that very personally,” she said, adding that Gamboa is an “A” student and at the top of her class.

David Young, a Professional Medical Careers Instructor at WST also had high praise for Gamboa.

“Selena is an exemplary student,” he said in a release. “Her dedication to her studies and ability to assist other students make her stand out above her peers. Her hard-working, can-do attitude, (and her) quiet, calm demeanor and caring personality will be a great asset to the health care profession.”

This story was originally published November 25, 2015 at 8:54 AM with the headline "Henderson Bay High student selected as president of student-led nonprofit."